Winter has come and with it is freezing weather, the Met Office say, with areas in the UK to reach temperatures as low as -7C. While this is an unpleasant prospect, it could mean tha you’re eligible for a £25 cash booster from the government.
The Cold Weather Payment scheme provides financial support to households when the temperature drops to zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days. The scheme runs annualy between November 1 and March 31, and people on certain means tested benefits are eligible for the money. The payments are made automatically and each seven day period is worth £25.
To check you are eligible for this payment, you can use the Government tool to register your postcode. It will tell you whether people in your area will recieve the payment or not.
Make sure to select the correct country as the calculators vary in different ones. Residents of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland must be careful to select the right one.
Money will appear in your account within 14 days of the seven day period that it was below freezing, so keep an eye out if you are eligible. You’ll be able to recognise the payment if you get it because the the reference on your bank account will start with your National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP CWP’ for those in England and Wales.
Scottish residents are not eligible for Cold Weather Payments. Instead they can claim the Winter Heating Payment instead – the Scots’ version of the Winter Fuel Allowance which can be worth up to £305.
As mentioned, to recieve the Winter Fuel Payment, you must be on certain means tested benefits. These are:
There are specific requirements associated with each benefit that entitle a person to receive payment, such as having a disability or a pensioner premium, or if they’re living with a child under five.
To find out the full list of requirements for each benefit, people can visit the Government webpage.
